Crossed off a "must play" course yesterday

edub72 · March 1, 2012

Colonial Country Club, home of the Crowne Plaza Invitational

Just thought I'd share. I've lived in Texas all my life and this is one of the ones I have always longed to play. Got the opportunity to play Colonial Country Club, home of the Crowne Plaza Invitational and Hogan's trophy room yesterday and it was perfect weather. Sunny, close to 80 and about 10-15 mph winds. The member that invited me to play suggested that most guests want to play the tips when he brings them out so I said why not, it was not very busy and we were 2 with 4 in front of us, so we figured we wouldn't hold any one up. I'm playing to about a 4 right now so able to handle the tips but not great place to be on a regular basis.

For those of you wondering the difference between the pros and good amateur players it's drastic. I'm a former scratch player coming back after a close to 4 year layoff. I shot 81 from the tips and just felt beat up all day. I'd say my avg drive is around 280 and can be stretched close to 300. On hole 1 a 563 yd par 5 I hit the best drive I could had 265 to hole and put a 3 wood on the front fringe, got down in two and off to a good start. Parred 2 and then played the "horrible horseshoe at 5 over, pros are happy to get thru at even so I'm ok with it. For the remainder of the day hit some very good shots and hit some awful shots that put me in some tough spots, placement of your shot on and around the green was paramount as the greens are heavily bunkered and there is not much bailout on any greens. I was routinely 150-200 yds out on approach shots, not many inside of 150 (which found me with anywhere from 7 irons to 4 irons into small greens) and this is considered one of the shortest courses on tour and one that players routinely take irons and/or hybrids off the tee.

The club itself is very laid back, the Pro's that I met went out of their way to be welcoming and all of the staff was great. The membership that I met or came across was the same as the staff. All in all great place and great people. Didn't get there in time to go through all the Hogan memorabilia and had to leave pretty quick afterwards, but I have been there before for various reasons and seen that. This was all about the course and it is now one of my favorites I've played.

Simp · March 1, 2012

If you hadn't have mentioned "Hogan", I would've had no idea what course you were talking about. LOL. Colonial is definitely a bucket list course!

farmer · March 1, 2012

I knew some members back in the 80's and played there quite a lot. Absolutely my favorite course of all time. No gimmicks or tricks, straightforward do it or don't. Great place.

Kadin 25 · March 1, 2012

Nice! Congrats on getting to play a "must play" course.

PreppySlapCut · March 1, 2012

Very cool.

Hoot151 · March 1, 2012

I'm quite jealous. I've lived in or around Ft. Worth for all my life and have wanted to play that course for 20 years. I haven't even met a member to beg for a round.

Hutch306 · March 1, 2012

My first trip to a PGA event was to the Byron Nelson classic...I thought it was freaking awesome, an amazing course. Then I went to Colonial. I can't even remember the name of that one course that has the Byron Nelson...TPC something or another.

I've lived in DFW for awhile now, and I really, really want to play the course. I think it would be a fantastic time.

edub72 · March 2, 2012

I was born in Dallas and now live on the Fort Worth side for the last 7 years. I used to work at the 4 seasons, so spent a lot of time around the Nelson tournament. I enjoy the Colonial much more. It is a very laid back atmosphere compared to the Nelson.

The course at Colonial blows away the TPC in las colinas, I've never been a fan of that course.

It was a great course and day, now back to the muni today for 9 holes with no grass, no free gatorades, towels and I gotta carry my own dang bag to the car.

bwcorserat · March 2, 2012

Yep, I've been going to the Colonial for the last couple of years and am going again this year, when I'm there I drool alot.

Tallen01 · March 2, 2012

Congrats, and nice write-up! Glad you got to do it! Isn't that a great feeling?

I had the great fortune to caddy for an amateur in the pro-am at the Crowne Plaza Invitational, so I've walked the course inside the ropes, but never played it. I agree with your assessment of the length, and it is absolutely beautiful course.

(We played with Jonathan Byrd--very nice guy, by the way. A little quiet, but very nice).

coachemup · March 2, 2012

Colonial is a wonderful course. When I used to live in Fort Worth, I played Colonial and Shady Oaks quite often. There were days when me and my playing partners were the only ones on the course. Glad you enjoyed your experience.

LHgolfer · March 2, 2012

Colonial is a very cool place. I have had the opportunity to play it 7 times in the last couple of years. Last year I shot a 76 and felt like it was one of my best rounds ever.

When you step on the first tee, you get the feeling that it is going to be a special course. I love the parkland type setting. Regardless of where you hit, there is always a shot into the green, may not be best angle but still playable.

The tour pros make it sound like it is short, but I think Ive hit driver off every tee except maybe #9, #17.